Observing a wood fire, it is obvious that some spurts of gases and some smoke will turn to flames. This tells us that wood burned under controlled circumstances will produce gases or smoke that will burn.

          Such a device when used to control or limit the intake of air, is known as a gasifier.

Contrary to normal logic, a common internal combustion engine can be “forced” to burn this “fuel.”

          ECON employed a much used, old model pickup for ECAR No.1. The gasifier, about the size of a 50-gallon drum, was carried in the bed. The carburetor was removed, and a metal box installed to mix the gas with the proper amount of air, and away we go.

          About 1.25 lbs. of small, dry, solid wood blocks are required per mile.

          Nothing about this procedure is simple; the smoke must be cooled, dried and filtered. Only a labor of love will succeed here.

          All in all, however, it does work. An ECON crew did make a gasifier trip from Jacksonville, Florida to Los Angeles and another from Key West to Campobello, Canada.

          No gasoline or commercial fuel was allowed on the trip, and the gasifier was restarted cold each day – a major feat.

          No practical application is claimed, yet it cannot be denied that if fossil fuel were ever rationed to the point that no recreational travel was possible, an alternative solution is available.